Asda has withdrawn more packs of its Little Eat Beef, Cheese and Tomato Burgers, because the product contains sulphites, which are not mentioned on the label.
This makes these burgers a possible health risk for people who are sensitive to sulphites.
Packs with these 'use by' dates are now being withdrawn: 15 April 2013, 25 April 2013, 26 April 2013, 27 April 2013, 28 April 2013, 29 April 2013, 30 April 2013, 1 May 2013, 2 May 2013, 3 May 2013.
The Agency has issued an updated Allergy Alert. The original Allergy Alert, issued yesterday, 29 April 2013, can be found at the link below.
Some people with asthma are sensitive to sulphites and relatively small amounts may trigger an asthma attack. If you’re allergic or sensitive to sulphites, please do not eat this product but return it to the nearest store for a refund.
Asda is withdrawing the affected product from sale. Customer notices will be displayed in stores, explaining to customers why the product has been withdrawn.
The company will also contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the withdrawal.
Sulphites are used as preservatives in a wide range of foods, in particular soft drinks, sausages, burgers, and dried fruit and vegetables. These additives maintain food colour and prolong shelf-life by preventing the growth of micro-organisms.
When the gas sulphur dioxide is dissolved in a liquid, such as wine, it is known as sulphites.
Sulphur dioxide is produced naturally when wine and beer are made and it is often added to wine to stop it from continuing to ferment in the bottle. Usually, most of the ‘head space’ in a bottle of wine (the part of the bottle not filled with wine) is sulphur dioxide.
